[Objective] To select excellent varieties of Gastrodia elata and to determine the most suitable picking season of the plant. [Method] The gastrodin contents in fresh wild G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County, artificially cultivated fresh G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County, and nonlocal G. elata were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) under the following conditions: chromatographic column, AngilentTc-C18 (5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250.0 mm); mobile phase, acetonitrile-water (5∶95, V/V); wavelength, 220 nm; flow rate, 1.0 ml/min; column temperature, 35°C; and injection volume, 10 μl. The gastrodin contents in G. elata respectively harvested in winter and summer were compared. [Result] The gastrodin content was higher in the fresh wild G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County (0.076%) than in the artificially cultivated fresh G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County (0.045%) and nonlocal G. elata (0.025%). Additionally, the gastrodin content was higher in G. elata harvested in winter than in those harvested in summer. [Conclusion] G. elata from Bomi Country is an excellent variety and should be harvested in winter. [Objective] To select excellent varieties of Gastrodia elata and determine the most suitable picking season of the plant. [Method] The gastrodin contents in fresh wild G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County, artificially cultivated fresh G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County, and nonlocal G. elata were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) under the following conditions: chromatographic column, Angilent Tc-C18 (5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250.0 mm) : 95, V / V); wavelength, 220 nm; flow rate, 1.0 ml / min; column temperature, 35 ° C; and injection volume, 10 μl. The gastrodin contents in G. elata respectively harvested in winter and summer were compared . [Result] The gastrodin content was higher in the fresh wild G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County (0.076%) than in the artificially cultivated fresh G. elata harvested in winter in Bomi County (0.045%) and nonlocal G. elata (0.025%). Additionally, the gastrodin content was higher in G. elata harvested in winter than in those harvested in summer. [Conclusion] G. elata from Bomi Country is an excellent variety and should be harvested in winter.